Vehicle door latch



A. J. COLAUTTI VEHICLE DOOR LATCH May 26, 1959 Filed Dec. 24, 1956 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

TORNE Y A. J. COLAUTTI VEHICLE DOOR LATCH May 26, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D90. 24, 1956 T TORNEY 2,888,293 VEHICLE noon LATCH Albert J. Colautti, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application December 24, 1956, Serial No. 630,163

9 Claims. (Cl. 292:- 280) I This invention relates to a vehicle door latch and more particularly to a door .latch having improved actuating means. i

One feature of the invention is that is ,provides an improved vehicle door latch; another feature of the invention is that it provides a door latch having novel andimproved actuating means; a further feature of: the invention is that it provides a door latch having a shiftable detent release member and means for shifting said member wherein a force multiplication is obtained; yet another feature of the invention is thatthe actuating means comprises a slide and a pair of toggle links mounted on the slide for pivotal and translational movement relative to the slide whereby a force multiplication is obtained; and still a further feature of the invention isthat one 'of the toggle links abuts follower means on the frame for shifting the toggle links'bodily towards the detent release member upon pivotal movement of the toggle links, and the other toggle rlink has a cam portion which engages the detent operating member upon shifting and pivotal movement of the toggle links to shift the member and releasethe detent.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an automobile having the improved latch mounted in the front door.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the latch removed from the vehicle.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the latch of Fig. 2, parts being in a different condition of operation.

Fig. 4 is a section through the latch taken along the lines 4 4 of Fig. 2. e

Fig. 5 is a section through the latch taken along the line 55 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken along the line 66 ofv Fig.1 through the front door handle assembly.

Most automobiles being manufactured at the present time have door latches of the so-called rotary bolt type utilizing a push botton actuator mounted in an outside door handle to swing a detent out of engagement with the bolt, thereby permitting free rotation of the bolt so that the door can be opened. In order to open the door from the outside, the handle generally is gripped with four fingers and the thumb is used to depress the push button and release the latch. Since only the thumb or one finger is used to operate the push button, each of push button operation is essential. This invention provides a novel release or actuating mechanism in which push ibutton effort-is reduced since a unique toggle linkage arrangement is provided which results in force multiplication.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, an automobile designated generally as 10 in Fig. 1 has a front door 12 and a rear door 14. The front door is hinged by conventional means (not shown) at its nited States Patent front edge to the automobile body 16 and the door is latched at its rear edge to a body pillar 18 by a latch devicedesignated generally as 20. The rear door is hinged by conventional ,means (not shown) on the body pillar 18 and is latched to the body at its rear edge by a latch which is not shown but which may be similar to the front door latch 20.

The latch 20 which is shown in detail in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, has a'frame' 22 which carries rotatable latching means designated generally as 24 and including a bolt 26 of conventional form and shaped as a gear; The bolt is non-rotatably mounted on a stud 27 which extends through the frame 22 and non-rotatably mounts a ratchet 28. The latching means, including the bolt 26, the stud 27 and theratchet 28, rotates freely as a unit. The body of the 'bolt 26 is encased in a bolt housing 30 which is open at the bottom and which is secured to the frame 22. As shown in Fig. 4, the bolt teeth-project below the open end of the bolt housing 30 for engagement with a conventional striker mounted on the automobile body and having complementary rack,- like teeth thereon.

Detent means are provided for holding the bolt against rotation in one direction. In the latch shown in the drawings this detent means includes a detent member identified as 32 and a multiplier lever 34. The detent 32 is pivotally mounted on the latch frame at 36 and has a foot 37 which is resiliently biased into engagement with the ratchet 28 by a spring 38. When in engagement with the ratchet as shown in Figure 2, the latching means is held against rotation in a counterclockwise or door opening direction. with the detent means released from the latching means so that free rotation of the latching means in either direction is permitted and the door may be opened. The multiplier lever 34 is connected to the detent by means of a tongue"40 on the multiplier lever engaging in a notch 42 on the detent. The multiplier lever, which is pivotally mounted on the frame at 44, has an arm 45 with a turned tab 46 adapted to be engaged by a shiftable detent release member which is commonly known as an intermittent link. is formed with a longitudinally extending elongated slot 52 intermediate its ends and a stud 54 extends through this slot and through the frame and mounts the member 50 on the frame 22 for shiftable and for pivotal movement. Shiftable movement is for the purpose of releasing the detent from the bolt and pivotal'movement is for the purpose of decoupling the detent release member from the multiplierlever. 45 so that the door cannot be opened from the outside.

The outer end of the detent release member 50 terminates in a turned flange 56 for engagement by an outside operator and a spring 58 has one end engaging the stud 54 and the other end engaging this flange to resiliently bias the member 50 to its outer position as shown in Figure 2.

The door 12. carries on its outer panel a fixedly mounted handle member 60 which mounts a push button 62. As shown in Figure 6, the push button is connected to a push rod 64, the free end of which abuts one arm of a bell crank 66 which is pivotally mounted in the door and is biased in a clockwise direction by a spring 81. The other end of the bell crank is connected to" a rod 68 which extends downwardly and is connected at its lower end "to' a slide 70 which has a pair of elongated slots 72 and 74 through which studs 76 and 78, respectively, 'extenld fro'ni the frame 22 sol that the slide is mounted for vertical rectilinear sliding. movementonthe frarrie. With thefpush button 64in:

" its normal position shown in Figure 6, the slide is 16- Figure 3 shows thelatch The detent release member 50 cated in a lowered position as shown in Figure 2. When the push button is pressed, the rod 68 and the slide 70 are raised to the position shown in Figure 3. A pair of toggle links 80 and 82 are articulated together at one end by means of a pin 84 and the pin 84 is connected through a transverse elongated slot 86 in the slide 70 so that the toggle links are mounted on the slide in the slot 86 at the point of articulation of the toggle links for pivotal and translational or bodily movement relative to the slide 70. At its other end the link 80, which extends away from the member 50, has a cam foot 80a adapted to engage a follower flange 88 turned from the frame 22. The link 82, which extends toward the detent release member 50, has at its other end a cam foot 82a which lies closely adjacent the flange 56 on the member 50, being adapted to engage the flange 56 and shift the member 50 from the position of Figure 2 to the position of Figure 3.

Link 80 is mounted on a stud 90 for pivotal and translational movement in a curved slot 92 on the frame, and similarly link 82 is mounted by means of a stud 94 in a curved slot 96 on the frame for pivotal and translational movement relative to the frame.

When the push button is in the position of Figure 6, the latch parts are in the position of Figure 2, with the detent foot 37 engaging the ratchet and holding the latching means against rotation in a counterclockwise direction. In order to open the door from the outside, the push button 62 is depressed, pulling up on the slide 70 and pivoting the links 80, 82 toward a straightened out position. As the link 80 pivots, its cam foot 80a engages against the follower flange 88, shifting the links bodily to the right relative to the slide 70 as shown by a comparison of Figures 2 and 3. At the same time pivotal movement of the link 82 swings its cam foot 82a in a clockwise direction against the flange 56 of the detent operating member. The cam force effected by pivotal movement of the link of the cam foot 82a is combined with the translational movement of the links effected by cam foot 80:: so that a combined effort or force multiplication is obtained thus reducing push button effort over a simple direct connection. When the push button 62 is released spring 81 returns the slide to its position of Figure 2 and spring 58 returns the detent release member 50 to its position of Figure 2. The spring 38 causes the detent to seat in one of the notches in the ratchet 23 so that the parts are ready for a succeeding cycle of operation.

While forming no part of the invention, the door latch illustrated also includes inside operating means and door locking means. The inside operator includes a lever 91 pivoted on. the frame at 93 and having a finger portion 95 overlying an arm of the multiplier lever. The lever 91 is connected by a rod 97 to an inside turn handle 98 on the door. Operation of this handle pulls on the rod 97 and swings the lever 91 and consequently the multiplier lever 34- and the detent 32 out of engagement with the ratchet 28, permitting free rotation of the latching means. In order to lock the door from the inside there is a garnish molding button 100 mounted on the upper edge of the door and connected by means of a bell crank arrangement 102 to a rod 104 which, at its lower end, is connected to a lever 106 which is coupled to a pivoted locking member 108 having spaced fingers 110 and 112 which make a lost motion connection with an arm of the detent release member 50. When the garnish molding button 100 is raised rod 104 is depressed thus swinging the locking member 108 in a counterclockwise direction and swinging the detent release lever 50 about its pivot 54 in a clockwise direction so that its operating arm 50a moves down away from the tongue 46 on the multiplier lever. Shiftable movement of the detent release member 50 when in this position will merely cause it to free wheel since the arm 50a bypasses the tongue 46.

In order to lock the door from the outside there is a conventional key cylinder arrangement which may be seen in Figure 1 in the push button 62. Operation of a key in this key cylinder pulls up on a rod 114 which is connected at its lower end to a rocking lever 116 pivoted at 118 on the latch frame. The rocking lever 116 is connected by a link 120 to the locking lever 108 so that the lever 108 is caused to pivot upon turning of the key in the same manner as it pivots upon operation of the garnish molding button.

While 1 have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a door latch having a frame with a movable bolt mounted thereon and swingable detent means for holding the bolt against movement in one direction, in combination, a member for operating the detent means, said member being mounted on the frame for shiftable movement to swing the detent means out of holding relation with the bolt, a slide mounted on the frame for rectilinear movement relative thereto, said slide having an elongated slot therein, a pair of toggle links articulated together and mounted on the slide in said slot at their point of articulation for pivotal and translational movement relative to said slide, each link having a cam foot at one end and each link being connected intermediate its ends by pin and slot means to the frame, the slot in the slide and the pin and slot connections between the links and the frame allowing translational movement of the links toward said member, follower means adapted to be engaged by the cam portion of one link upon pivotal movement thereof for moving the links bodily toward said member, and means connected to said slide for moving the slide to cause pivotal and translational movement of said links to shift said member, the cam foot on said other link being adjacent to said member and being adapted to engage and shift the member upon translational and pivotal movement of the links.

2. In a door latch having a frame with a movable bolt mounted thereon and swingable detent means for holding the bolt against movement in one direction, in combination, a member for operating the detent means, said member being mounted on the frame for shiftable movement to swing the detent means out of holding relation with the bolt, a slide mounted on the frame for rectilinear movement, said slide having an elongated slot therein, a pair of toggle links articulated together and mounted on the slide in said slot at their point of articulation for pivotal and translational movement relative to said slide, each link having a cam foot at its other end and each link being connected intermediate its ends by pin and slot means to the frame, the slot in the slide and the pin and slot connections between the links and the frame allowing translational movement of the links toward said member, a follower on the frame engageable with the cam foot on one link upon pivotal movement thereof for moving said link bodily toward said member, and means connected to said slide for moving the slide to cause pivotal and translation movement of said links to shift said member, the cam foot on said other link being adjacent to said member and being adapted to engage and shift the member upon translational and pivotal movement of the links.

3. In a door latch having a frame with movable latching means mounted thereon and swingable detent means for swinging the latching means and holding it against movement in one direction, in combination, a member for operating the detent means, said member being mounted on the frame for shiftable movement to swing the detent means out of engagement with the latching means, a slide mounted on the frame for rectilinear movement, said slide having an elongated slot therein, a pair of toggle links articulated together at one end and mounted onthe slide in said slot'at their 'pointpL-articulation for pivotal and translational movement relative to said slide, each link having a cam foot at its other end and each link being connected intermediate its ends by pin and slot means tothe frame, the slot in the slide and the pin and slot connections between the links and the frame allowing translational movement of the links toward said member, follower means on said frame adjacent and adapted to be engaged by the cam foot of one link for moving the links bodily toward said member upon pivotal movement of the links, and push button means connected to said slide for moving the slide to cause pivotal and. translationakmove'nient of said'ilifiks to shift said member, the cam foot lon."said other'link being adjacent to said member and being adapted to engage and shift the member upon translational and pivotal movement of the links.

4. In a door latch having a frame with movable latching means mounted thereon and swingable detent means for engaging the latching means and holding it against movement in one direction, in combination, a member for operating the detent means, said member being mounted on the frame for shiftable movement in a generally horizontal direction to swing the detent means out of engagement with the latching means, a slide mounted on the frame for rectilinear movement in a generally vertical direction, said slide having a generally horizontal elongated slot therein, a pair of toggle links articulated together at one end and mounted on the slide in said slot at their point of articulation for pivotal and translational movement relative to said slot, each link having a cam foot at its other end and each link being connected intermediate its ends by pin and slot means to the frame, the slot in the slide and the pin and slot connections between the links and the frame allowing translational movement of the links toward said member, follower means on said frame adjacent and adapted to be engaged by the cam foot of one link for moving the links bodily toward said member upon pivotal movement of the links, and push button means connected to said slide for moving the slide to cause pivotal and translational movement of said links to shift said member, a cam foot on said other link being adjacent to said member and being adapted to engage and shift the member upon translational and pivotal movement of the links.

5. In a door latch having a frame with movable latching means mounted thereon and swingable detent means for engaging the latching means and holding it against movement in one direction, in combination, a member for operating the detent means, said member being mounted on the frame for shiftable movement to swing the detent means out of engagement with the latching means, a slide mounted on the frame for rectilinear movement, said slide having an elongated slot therein, a pair of toggle links articulated together at one end and mounted on the slide in said slot at their point of articulation for pivotal and translational movement relative to said slide, one link extending toward said member and the other link extending away from said member, each link having a cam foot at its other end and each link being connected inter mediate its ends by pin and slot means to the frame, the slot in the slide and the pin and slot connection between the links and the frame allowing translational movement of the links toward said member, follower means on said frame adjacent and adapted to be engaged by the cam foot of said other link for moving the link bodily toward said member upon pivotal movement of the links, and push button means connected to said slide for moving the slide to cause pivotal and translational movement of said links to shift said member, the cam foot on said one link being adjacent to said member and being adapted to engage and shift the member upon translational and pivotal movement of the links.

6. In a door latch having a frame with movable latching means mounted thereon and swingab le detent means for engaging the latching means and holding it against movement in one direction, in combination, a member for operating the detent means, said member being mounted on the frame for shiftable movement in a generally horizontal direction to swing the detent means out of engagement with the latching means, a slide mounted on the frame for rectilinear movement in a generally vertical direction, said slide having a generally horizontal elongated slot therein, a pair of toggle links articulated together at one end and mounted on the slide in said slot at their point of articulation for pivotal and translational movement relative to said slide, one link extending toward said member and the other link extending away from said member, each link having a cam foot at its other end and each link being connected intermediate its ends by pin and slot means to the frame, the slot in the slide and the pin and slot connections between the links and the frame allowing translational movement of the links toward said member, follower means on said frame adjacent and adapted to be engaged by the cam foot of said other link for moving the links bodily toward said member upon pivotal movement of the links, and push button means connected to said slide for moving the slide to cause pivotal and translational movement of said links to shift said member, the cam foot on said one link being adjacent to said member and being adapted to engage and shift the member upon translational and pivotal movement of the links.

7. In a door latch having a frame with movable latching means mounted thereon and detent means for holding the latching means against movement in at least one direction, in combination, a member for operating the detent means, said member being mounted on the frame for shiftable movement to move the detent means out of engagement with the latching means, and means for shifting said member comprising a slide movably mounted on the frame, a pair of toggle links pivotally and bodily movably mounted on the frame, said links being connected together and connected to said slide for pivotal movement and for translational movement relative to said slide in a direction transverse to the longitudinal dimension of said slide, one of said links having a portion lying adjacent said member and being adapted to shift said member upon pivotal and translational movement of the link and the other link having a cam portion, a follower adjacent said cam portion, and means for moving said slide to cause pivotal movement of said links, said cam portion engaging the follower to cause translational movement of the links to shift said memher.

8. In a door latch having a frame with movable latching means mounted thereon and detent means for engaging the latching means and holding it against movement in at least one direction, in combination, a. member for operating the detent means, said member being mounted on the frame for shiftable movement to move the detent means out of engagement with the latching means, and means for shifting said member comprising a slide mounted on the frame for rectilinear movement thereon, a pair of toggle links pivotally and bodily movably mounted on the frame, said links being articulated together and connected to said slide at their point of articulation for pivotal movement and for translational movement relative to said slide in a direction at right angles to the direction of movement of the slide, one of said links having a portion lying adjacent said member and being adapted to shift said member upon pivotal and translational movement of the links and the other link having a cam portion, a follower adjacent said cam portion and means for moving said slide to cause pivotal movement of said links, said cam portion engaging the follower to cause translational movement of the links toshift said member.

9. In a door latch having a frame With movable latching means mounted thereon and swingable detent means for engaging and holding the latching means against movement in one direction, in combination, a member for operating the detent means, said member being mounted on the frame for shiftable movement to swing the detent means out of engagement with the latching means, a slide mounted on the frame for rectilinear movement thereon, said slide having an elongated slot therein, a pair of toggle links connected to each other and to said slide for pivotal movement and for translational movement relative to said slide in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the slide, said links being articulated together and connected to the slide in said slot at their point of articulation, one of said links having a cam portion lying adjacent said member and being adapted to shift said member upon pivotal and translational movement of the link and the other link having a cam portion, a follower adjacent the cam portion of said other link adapted to move the links translationally in said slot relative to said slide upon engagement with said last mentioned cam portion during pivotal movement of the links, means connecting said links to the frame for pivotal and translational movement relative thereto, and means for moving said slide to cause pivotal and translational movement of said links to shift said member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

